The temporary emergency department construction site last Friday. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The ACT’s temporary COVID-19 emergency department is taking shape on Garran Oval and is on target to be complete by mid-May.
The ACT Government contracted local company Aspen Medical to build and operate the facility at a cost of $23 million earlier this month when concerns were high that the ACT’s hospital system would be overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases if the virus spread through the Canberra population.
Since then, social distancing and other containment measures have reduced the presence of the virus in Canberra to virtually zero, with only two active cases isolating at home with ACT Health support.
But the government and health officials remain vigilant due to fears of a second wave of COVID-19 cases in the winter, particularly if restrictions are eased.
Garran Oval was selected because of its proximity to Canberra Hospital. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
“While we are seeing a decrease of confirmed cases in the Territory, we are continuing with plans for this facility to ensure we are prepared and well-resourced should we see an increase in cases,” an ACT Health spokesperson said.
Sited close to the Canberra Hospital campus for the fast and easy transfer of patients, work on the facility began on 9 April but the model of care and number of staff required at the facility is still to be determined.
When the 50-bed facility, including six resuscitation beds, was announced, Aspen Medical said it would need about 200 staff.
An aerial shot of the site early in the construction. Photo: ACT Government.
The spokesperson said the ED remained a temporary facility and would only take patients with COVID-19.
”The facility will only be in place while the ACT is in a state of public health emergency,” the spokesperson said. “It will be removed, and Garran Oval will be fully restored once the state of health emergency is stood down.
”This facility has been built specifically to expand our capacity and enhance our ability to respond to COVID-19.”
The pre-fabricated, steel, rectangular structure is being manufactured off-site and then assembled on a concrete slab before being fitted out.
The pre-fab steel makes for quick construction. Photo: ACT Government.
It will be connected to the hospital via covered walkways.
Aspen Medical made its name globally providing rapid response medical services in many different locations, some remote and in epidemic situations, such as the African ebola outbreak.
The ACT Government has funded the $23 million project to the end of July, but Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith says it will continue operating after July if required.
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I can see this turning into a long term overflow ward given the pre Covid ward issues and eventually a permanent building on site given that there was a DA sign up on that site about a year ago for an extension to the W&C Hospital
People complain in previous winters that the ED are under resourced and can’t keep up. I have been pushed from ED to EMU and then out at 3am in sub zero temperature when very sick to free up a bed. That was horrible. The ED generally needs to expand not just because of COVID19.
Nicole exactly right! Both hospitals in almost all wards were full last winter, and that was without covid
Sarah Baker I know right. every year. Healthy people haven’t experienced the horror.
Welcome to the ACT where classrooms have no kids.
Buses run with no passengers.
A $23m facility is built for no patients.
Rates rise with no relief.
And voters have no alternatives.
So you think the ACT should be moved to the moon? Because frankly you just described the Same basic situation that every state and territory in this country is facing. In fact I will go one further and say The best part of the first world.
The only saving grace for us in Australia and the ACT of course is the hospital isn’t full to overflowing. That is something to be applauded not turned into a cheap political shot. The fact the hospitals are so empty is thanks to the policies and effort put in by the PM, the federal government and all state and territory leaders as well as the vast majority of the population who have removed their tin foil hats and their party political blinkers.
Oh did I just praise a liberal PM and liberal premiers? Yep I did in the circumstances what they have done thus far have saved our bacon. As I said now isn’t the time for cheap political shots at any pollie. (Except maybe Trump).
I hope they have heaters.
Anyone that can’t see the need for this ED is blind. We are still at a huge risk of Coronavirus that needs appropriate planning by health authorities.
They have done well in increasing capacity, which is part of the reason we will be able to reduce restrictions.
I’m sure most of us are familiar with that episode of Yes Minister where Jim Hacker visits the most efficient hospital in Great Britain.
On the bright side, it’s a lot cheaper than a desalination plant.
🤦♀️ All of the people whinging about this being a waste of money would probably be the first ones to condemn the government after the heartbreak of a 2nd wave for being ill-prepared without the extra hospital capacity.
I for one feel much more reassured by this. Thanks ACT Govt!
My thoughts exactly. You can be fairly sure about that. Some people will complain abut whatever they can.We build the temporary emergency compartment they complain. We don't they would be on the forefront of complaining if a second wave hits. They complain about the tram and say buses are better. If we didn't have the tram, they would complain about buses. Whatever is done, it's something to complain about. Lives full of negativity with no vision beyond the now.
It will probably be a waste of money.
But I’d prefer to spend money on it and then find it wasn’t required than to call a halt to it and suddenly be hit by a new wave or Coronavirus resulting in people dying because we don’t have suitable facilities.
It’s a bit like car or house insurance. Usually a waste of money but suddenly essential if we ever do need it.
The people of the ACT should be outraged that their ever increasing rates are being wasted on this $23m white elephant. There are no cases in the ACT and our existing hospitals have plenty of spare capacity to handle any severe cases that may occur. The only ones benefiting from this unnecessary extravgence are the building contractor and the Aspen medical corporation.
Bull dust. As many posts have said this is an insurance policy and if the government didn’t built it and it was required there would be howls of outrage from people such as yourself that enough was not done.
As for the cost, the bulk of the funding is coming from Federal Government as part of the National COVID19 response. Other states have received similar funding to ramp up their hospital systems.
Other states have spent money on their hospitals and are not using school ovals to treat patients.
Isn’t $23 million the same amount the ACT government has paid to get an out of town football club to play a few games in Canberra for the past nine years to appease just few thousand fans?
That is definitely a white elephant.
Many cities have these stand by facilities in mothballs for excess demand.
How many more $millions will it cost to keep this facility (with a “yet to be determined” model of care) open when the contract expires in July?
People seem to forget that Canberra Hospital is the largest hospital in our region, and cases from across our region - most of which is in NSW - are sent here to access specialist doctors and significant equipment that smaller hospitals aren't able to handle. So this is being built with that wider role in mind, not just what Canberra needs
Hopefully it will be ready for the 2nd and 3rd waves of the pandemic.
Unless they is a second Covid-19 wave, this seems a waste of money!
Robert Mair flattening the curve isn't about erradicating the virus - it is going to be with us for a very long time, so it is better to be prepared than to not be. Even if ACT is fairing well, we're surrounded by NSW who're still seeing new infections.
Robert Mair if it's a "waste of money" that means we have been successful and that is a great thing to celebrate. Imagine if we go the other way, like Italy? Then people like you would be mourning the loss of loved ones (or dying yourself in a horrible way) wondering why the government hadn't done anything. Be grateful it's a "waste of money" because it means we have been spared a worse fate... for now at least. If a second wave of this pandemic occurs, you may change your mind about this.
We should not dismiss the potential of Covid19 to re-emerge and start a second wave. Winter is coming along with the latest flu. 😷🤧🤒😱
They know whats coming
Hahaha gotta love Canberra
$23 million for something that may, or may not be used ??? Maybe they could turn it into emergency homeless shelter when the pandemic is over and actually use it for something good
Corey Karl Arh good thinking mate. Upstairs for thinking downstairs for dancing. Unfortunately for Canberrans Barr's mob have it the other way around
It could always be used for people recovering from elective surgery if they need to catch up with the backlog of cancelled operations.
Mark Dawson Could we an option.